Building MFT Workstation. Welcoming input and ideas.

[sgryd]

Hi.
I'm in the process of building a permanent workstation out of two MFT/3.'

Here is what I want:
- Small footprint but efficient workstation
- Full MFT functionality for clamping, Qwas-dogging square glue-ups, etc
- Solid/Sturdy
- Lots of drawers
- Adjustable in 3 axes to square and level the two tables (images below shows aluminum mounting brackets to build)
- CMS saw station in the middle with detatchable Incra fences on both sides (probably mounted with some kind of dogs)
- CMS pivots so I can get a clean table area in the middle
- CMS also slides so I can push it backwards when I need to stand in between the tables (for routing etc)
- CMS slide function locks in 96mm increments to match MFT holes for exact fence placement.
- Incra LS station on one of the tables (detachable)
- TS-55 saw station on the other table
- Good dust controol with boom arm and both 27mm and 36mm hose
- Shelf rack on front to hold standing work pieces on the side on any height
- List is growing for each day.. This will be really fun to build.

The base will be welded out of 50x100x3mm steel bars.
The sliding funtion for the CMS will be a heavy duty guide rail

 

[duburban]

do you have to walk between the two to get in there? i wouldn't recommend that incase theres something long on both tables and you can't get in there for even a quick slice. if this isn't against a wall you could turn the saw around?

 

[Corwin]

I have the older MFTs, not the MFT/3s, so correct me if I'm wrong.  The MFT's table top has some play between it and its surrounding frame, so getting and maintaining hole alignment between your two table tops may prove futile.

Why not orient your MFT/3 tables the other direction?

 

[sgryd]

duburban:
I don't have a lot of space, so I have to come up with a compact solution. In case of quick slices I can use the bandsaw if the pieces are short. But.. When building a pivotable and sliding CMS table I might as well add a turntable so I can reverse the saw. I'll look into that. It would be great if it's easy enough to solve. The table is placed in the middle of the room to make big glue-ups easier.

Corwin:
One difference betweer MFT1080 and MFT/3 is that the MFT/3-top is much better fastened in the frame. It's fastened with hex screws driven into plastic inserts in the top. Seems solid enough.

I'll post back soon with a drawing of the whole shop so you get the whole picture. "Whole" equals about 200 Square feet.

//Michael

 

[sgryd]

Attached is my shop layout including the MFT workstation.

I have one of the room for woodworking. I was able to put the dust collector in the other room. I've built systainer racks into the walls as seen on the drawing. The upper half of the room is dust controled by a Felder AF14. The lower half has a dedicated Festool CT22 for dust control.

Any thougths are welcome as I'm not finished with everyting yet.

 

[Corwin]

I looks like you have some space issues...  And, I would think that your MFT Workstation may prove to be too large and too limiting as a single unit.  My suggestion is to get a portable miter stand so that you can place it where you will have the room to the left and/or right when needed, and store out of the way when not in use.  Leaving your two MFT/3s available to be used separately or joined with Festool table joiners seems to me to be far more beneficial than your workstation -- my favorte setup is to have two MFTs joined and mount a 1900mm guide rail on the MFT's guide rail brackets to span both tables.  You could make a router table that could mount between your two MFT/3s, or one that can attach to one of the tables -- that would mean you wouldn't have cut a hole in your MFT top for the router, and reducing the function of the one MFT.  Essentially, I would elect for a more versatile shop with tables that can be converted as needed, especially with your limited space.  Anyway, that is the direction that I would take instead of the direction that you headed...

 

[sgryd]

Hmm.
You have good points.. Thanks.

What lead me into the big workstation thougths were the following:
- I'm tired of having two tables not aligned and not level (floor height differs about 5-10mm)
- I desperately need drawers. Can't afford empty space under the MFT's
- Dedicated CT22 with boom arm would cover the whole workstation
- I have tried this setup for a while and I like it.
- A fixed gap between the tables is a simpel solution for putting an extension top in between to make complete table for sheet goods cutting.
- And also: I have a bunch of 100x50mm steel bars, which I'd really like to build something of =)

I allready have a portable miter stand which I use outside of the shop. But I need a stand with drawers or other efficency details under the CMS as well.

I'm going back to the drawing board again.. Might be easier to build two separate stands for the MFTs with casters and drawers. With a third table with casters for the miter saw I could fit it between the MFTs to mimic the thought setup..

The Incra is already in place in one of the MFTs. It went really good. I strengtened the top with a welded steelframe screwed and glued to the underside.

 

[rookie08]

Great drawings and detail.

Just curious if you could incorporate your INCRA "positioner sideways and allow that to be your measurement stop for your miter saw as well. 

Someone else had the INCRA set up so it hinged up off the table 90% when  not in use which might help with space if you end up with a longer positioner to use with the miter saw.

Just a thought.

 

[sgryd]

Hi again.
I've been drawing some and let go of the big-built-together-table-thought. Instead I'll build two sturdy MFT bases on wheels and a third base for the Kapex. The three units will have the same height and I think I'm going to add some sort of fastening device so I can put them together in any chosen constellation.

But I couldn't let go of wanting a "heavy duty feeling". And also I really like to weld something out of my steel bars =).

The MFT bases will be made out of 100x50mm steel bars. The legs will be the same dimension. I've thought about a good way to fixate the top to the legs. How about welding a cap onto the vertical bars (legs) and bold a nice wood block on top of it. The holes in the wood block will be a little larger than the bolt so I can adjust a bit. What do you think about this?

* Much easier to make than the advanced aluminum brackets in my first idéa
* The MFT is easy to lift off of the base if I feel the need for some portability (old legs would have to be mounted again)

 

[Kevin Stricker]

I like the direction you are heading with separate tables, I think you will find it more versatile. I thought I would throw out a few ideas if you don't mind.

- given the uneven floor you are working on I would definitely incorporate some type of leveling feet into either the bases or the tops.

- instead of a block to capture the frame for the top why not use some type of flange to bolt the base to the table.  This is assuming you are removing the legs and can utilize their attachment points.

- consider having one of your stations function more for wood storage than tool storage.  The space below the Kapex would be ideal for this, maybe a section for cutoffs and a scrap bin.  By removing the legs on at least one of your MFTs you also get a good spot below the table to hold parts.  I only bring these up because to me relocating scraps,cutoffs, and parts is a constant frustration in a small shop. 

- being able to utilize the LS positioner for crosscuts would be quite useful, especially for narrow pieces.

- make sure you incorporate a way to join your tables( maybe level them at the same time).  This increases the functionality of the MFT dramatically for me.